Are Black Astralorps nice?

[sarahloveschickens]

i have a black australop hen they are very pretty birds and have the cutest faces... australorps i really sweet and they lay medium sized eggs and sometimes i get a double yoke egg from mine!

 

[GardenerGal]

I used to keep 6 black australorps with my other chickens. They were wonderful! Quiet, docile and gentle, easy to handle and great layers for several years.

They gradually died off, and I'm deliberating splitting an order of 'lorp chicks with someone else in the spring. I miss my girls.

 

[Portia]

They are great

They are the most docile of my chickens and are the only breed that is perfectly comfortable with being picked up (my chickens don't get held much). They love attention and are curious. They are also consistent layers of lovely brown eggs. The only thing they aren't are good mama hens, they are good broodies, but a little remiss with the chicks once they get off the nest.

 

[willheveland]

Great Breed of hens,I don't have much knowledge on the roos,they went in the freezer.But for layers and a good breed around kids.The hens were awesome.The best group of hens I liked the most were Black Austrolorpes #1 and Barred Rock #2 either one you can't go wrong. Will

 

[cardenfarms]

this is my favorite breed - they are docile, good layers, good for eating, and wonderful parents. the roosters are very calm. i was actually going to sell all my buffs and start with a new flock. then a local lady gave me 18 laying hens - all various large breeds. have eggs coming out of my ears and loving it. if my flock ever goes down again, australorps will be my first choice. they are also beautiful with their emerald feathers on the black.

 

[Henrietta23]

I only have one, but I have to agree, my Betsy is a very docile bird. She isn't quite as friendly as my Buff Orpingtons or Red Stars but she's very calm, pretty and fun to be around. She does have quite an appetite though. She's not a petite girl!

 

[walkswithdog]

I had three, boisterous, bossy, beat up every other chicken, pulled feathers out everyone. Got rid of the worst one, they got a bit better. They hit laying age and GOT LOUD!!! Nice... not so much, but good foragers, great layers, one tried to beat up a hawk to save another younger chicken.

This month I got them an older Rooster, and now they don't get the opportunity to bully everyone else. He does LOL. They've tamed down a LOT but they were pretty rough on the others.

We named the one that fought the hawk Momma Bear, aka Bear.

That's her sporting the six inch scar left after fighting the hawk and surviving.

That's Algernon (Barred Rock), Bear and Nenna doing what makes free rangers happiest.

 

[chickenfever]

They are also very beautiful birds, I love looking out and seeing my BA's and BO's grazing together, what a beautiful contrast!

 

[Brian]

I have 6 breeds here. My australorps are my favorites! Very good disposition, and beautiful SOFT coats that make them a joy to pet. Mine are VERY tame and will readily hop up in my lap.

 

[Davaroo]

Generally, yes. They are a cross of Langshan and Oprpington stock, orginally, both known for docility.
On the other hand, the breed has gotten stretched into many strain lines. There is a certain amount of risk to get gentle ones, so far from the parent bloodlines.
But for the most part, they are pretty mellow.